Everyone was startled awake but a loud tap on the window. Jen started the car and rolled it down, only to reveal a large man and a tow truck behind him.

   "You the lady who needs a tow?" He asked.

   "Yes, thank you." I said, stepping out of the car and shaking his hand.

   We all sat off to the side and watched him load up the car, Jen cringing at every sound it made during the process.

   I puffed away at my cigarette as the man walked back towards us.

   "So, who's paying?" He asked.

   "Do you take credit?" Wendy asked.

   "Sorry, ma'am, only cash." He replied.

   We all dug around in our pockets, pulling out all the cash we had.

   "How much is it?" I asked.

   "Depends how far your goin'." He said.

   "About two hours that way." Jen said, pointing down the road towards the gas station.

   I grabbed the money from everyone and counted it up.

   "How does one-hundred and fifty-three dollars sound?"

   He seemed to think for a second. "Sounds good to me." He said before snatching the money from my hands and walking back towards the truck.

   We all looked at each other before following him to the truck, pilling into the back seat. Jen, however, got the unfortunate duty of having to sit shotgun.

   The man started the truck and headed back towards the gas station.

   I started to feel cramped. My breathing picked up. Small beads of sweat trickled down the back of my neck.

   "Excuse me, sir, do you happen to have a phone charger?"

   "What kind?" He asked.

   "Apple."

   He nodded and flipped open his center console, which was filled to the brim with every kind of charger you could imagine.

   "Thanks." I said, plugging my phone in.

   After it charged up, I plugged my headphones in and relaxed as Blue Öyster Cult blasted trough my ears.

   When we finally pulled into the gas station parking lot, everyone jumped out of the truck and headed into the gas station.

   Wendy made her way to the bathroom. "I'll be right back."

   We nodded and walked up to the guy behind the counter.

   "We need a new tire put on our car outside." Jen said, pointing towards the tow truck that was backing up towards the garage section of the gas station.

   "Sure thing, I'll get my guys on it as soon as possible."

   "Thanks, do you take a credit card? We kinda already payed the tow truck driver all our cash." I asked.

   He nodded as Wendy returned from the bathroom.

   "Found it." She said, holding her phone above her head.

   "That's great, now can you pay for Jen's new tire so we can get out of here?" I asked.

   "Oh, yeah, do you take credit?" She asked.

   The man nodded again and pointed towards the credit machine.

   After we paid for the tire and got it put on Jens car, we waved goodbye to the tow truck driver and hauled ass back home.

   "Thank God we're finally on our way home." I said, leaning back into my seat.

   "Oh c'mon, it wasn't that bad." Wendy said from the front seat.

   "Where the hell have you been?" I asked sarcastically.

   Everyone let out a laugh.

   "Ok, I guess it did kinda suck." She replied.

   Just as I was about to reply, my phone started ringing from my pocket.

   I pulled it out and answered. "Hello?"

   "Is Rebecca with you?"

   "Oh, hi, miss June, one second." I said before handing my phone to Rebecca.

   "It's your mom." I said.

   She rolled her eyes and smiled. "I could tell."

   "How can I help you, mother?" She asked.

   It was silent for a few minutes before Rebecca spoke up again. The previous annoyance in her voice was replaced with sadness.

   "Ok... thanks." She said before hanging up the phone and handing it back to me.

   We all awaited a response, but she just sat there quietly, looking out the window.

   "What's wrong?" I asked, placing my hand on her shoulder.

   She started to cry. "My dad's... in the hospital..."

   I inhaled deeply and pulled her in for a tight hug.

   She cried into my shoulder.

   "Just let it all out, we'll see him as soon as we get back. Won't we?" I asked, looking in Jen's direction.

   "Uh... yeah... of course." She replied.

   It was a long, quiet ride back.

   After about twenty minutes, Rebecca's cry's turned to quiet sobs.

   I held her the whole way back...

   We pulled into the hospital parking lot and I helped Rebecca out of the car, leading her towards the doors.

   Rebecca's mom stood up as we entered.

   "Where is he?" Rebecca asked.

   Her mom gestured for her to follow.

   "We'll be here." I said.

   Rebecca gave me a quick kiss. "Thanks for being there for me."

   "Sure thing." I replied.

   A small smile lit up her face. "I love you."

   "I love you more." I replied with a small smile of my own, giving her hand a gentle squeeze before letting it go.

   She followed her mom down the hallway and the rest of us took a seat in the waiting area.

   Wendy sat next to me. "I hope she's ok."

   "Me to." I replied, putting my head in my hands.

   Jen reached over and patted my shoulder. "Well, whatever happens, she's gonna need you by her side. Now more than ever."

   I nodded slowly. "I know."

   I couldn't even imagine losing my dad for good and Rebecca had to lose two.

   My heart ached for the pain she hid behind her eyes. She tried to cover it up, but we could all see it, she was broken inside.

   After about twenty minutes, Rebecca and her mom reemerged from the hallway.

   We all stood up.

   "How's he doing?" I asked.

   "Better now, but the doctors only give him two more weeks at the most." She said sadly.

   I pulled her in for a tight hug before noticing Rebecca's mom off to the side, tears in her eyes.

   I gestured for her to join us.

   She thought for a second before awkwardly wrapping her arms around us.

   Eventually, Wendy and Jen joined in.

   We stayed like that for a few minutes before everyone started pulling away.

   "Thanks guys, I don't know what I'd do without you here." Rebecca said, wiping a tear from her eye.

   We all gave her a slight smile and nod.

   We said our goodbyes to her mom and hopped back into Jens car before heading back to our apartment...

   We pulled into the parking lot and Rebecca and I got out.

   Wendy rolled down her window as I walked up.

   "Next time, go cake shopping without me." I said, a small smile on my face.

   She chuckled lightly to herself. "Sure thing."

   Jen started the car and gave us a wave.

   We waved back as they exited the parking lot.

   Once we were inside the apartment, I collapsed on the couch and Rebecca stood by the door.

   "Join me." I said, patting the empty cushion next to me.

   She walked over and plopped down next to me.

   I reached my arm around her shoulder and pulled her close to me.

   "I know you're going through a hard time right now. But, remember, I'm here for you. Always." I said before kissing her on the top of the head.

   "I love you more than you know." She said.

   I smiled lightly to myself.

   "I know..."